The contractile processes of cardiac muscle and vascular smooth muscle are dependent upon the movement of extracellular calcium ions into these cells through specific ion channels.

Barnidipine is a lipophilic dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker, showing high affinity for the calcium channels of the vascular smooth muscle.

The decrease in intracellular calcium inhibits the contractile processes of the systemic arteries smooth muscle cells, and thus, decreases total peripheral resistance and systemic blood pressure. Receptor kinetics of barnidipine are characterised by a slow onset of action and a strong and long-lasting binding; its antihypertensive effect remains during the entire 24-hour dose interval.

Adults and elderly patients: The recommended starting dosage is 10 mg once daily, in the morning. The dosage may be increased to 20 mg once daily if necessary. The decision to increase the dosage should only be taken after complete stability is achieved on the initial dosage. This usually takes at least 3-6 weeks.

No clinical experience with barnidipine in pregnancy or lactation is present. Animal studies do not indicate direct harmful effects with respect to pregnancy, embryonal/foetal or postnatal development. Only indirect effects are observed. The class of dihydropyridines has shown the potential to prolong delivery and parturition, which was not observed with barnidipine. As a consequence, barnidipine could be used in pregnancy only if the benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.